(Clearwisdom.net) According to December 14, 2001 reports in two Chinese newspapers in Rome, Xinhua Times and Euro-China Times, a photo display was held in the Chinese Embassy with contents slandering Falun Dafa. The organizers of the display were the two newspapers and the Italy-China Friendship Association. Both newspapers reported the event on December 18, 2001 in a prominent position. The reports were completely based on the views of the Chinese government, full of slander and libel against Falun Dafa.

Accordingly, the Italian Falun Dafa Association has decided to take legal action against the organizers and those involved, charging them with crimes of slander and defamation of Falun Dafa and Falun Dafa practitioners.

This attempt to defame Dafa was also a form of indirect persecution against Dafa practitioners in China. At the same time it endeavoured to damage the reputation of Dafa practitioners in Italy. This was a criminal act of extending persecution overseas, and those who committed the offence should be brought to justice. Based on these points, the Italian Falun Dafa Association retained a lawyer who filed a lawsuit in Rome against those responsible.